BYU vs. Savannah State Postgame Notes and Quotes

TEAM NOTES

BYU defeated Savannah State 64-0 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars are 7-4 on the season and 545-397-26 all time.

Michael Yeck and Chris Badger carried the team and special teams flags, respectively. Former offensive lineman Dick Legas (1968-70) carried the alumni flag.

Official attendance for the game was 52,123.

BYU honored 26 seniors prior to kickoff.

The 64-0 win over Savannah State is the biggest shutout win since a 65-0 home win over New Mexico in 1988.

The defense held Savannah State to a record-low 63 total yards. The previous record was 66 against Western Michigan in 1964.

BYU’s 51 first-half points are the most in a half since it scored 54 points in a half against Western State in 1951.

BYU recorded its third safety of the season.

BYU is 9-0 all-time against FCS teams. Savannah State is 0-7 all-time against FBS teams.

In its last 17 blue zone possessions, BYU has 15 touchdowns and two field goals.

Bronco Mendenhall is 16-1 in November home games (only loss was his first November home game– an overtime loss to Utah on Nov. 19, 2005).

PLAYER NOTES

Christian Stewart

Senior quarterback Christian Stewart threw for four touchdowns on 12-of-17 passing and 196 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter after BYU had built a 42-0 lead. He also rushed for his third and fourth touchdowns on the year, compiling 44 yards on five carries with an average of 8.8 yards per rush. He now has 21 total touchdowns on the year (17 pass, 4 rush). He has the highest average (1.89) of pass TDs per game since Max Hall in 2009 (2.54).

Mitch Mathews

Junior wide receiver Mitch Mathews broke the 100-yard receiving mark for the second-straight week and the fourth time this season. He ended the game with 110 yards on four catches with two touchdowns, including the first score of the game – a 71-yard catch from Stewart. He now has eight receiving touchdowns on the year.

Scott Arellano

Senior punter Scott Arellano placed his 23rd punt inside the 20-yard line and recorded his 19th punt of 50 or more yards. He ended the game with an average of 51.5 yards with a long of 61.

Jordan Leslie

Senior receiver Jordan Leslie had three catches for 36 yards while scoring his fourth touchdown of the season (third receiving).

Nate Carter

Junior running back Nate Carter scored his first career touchdown on a 2-yard run with 4:12 left in the second quarter. He is the third Cougar to rush for at least 100-yards in a game this season, joining Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams. He ended the game with 116 yards on 20 carries to lead the BYU ground attack.

Terenn Houk

Junior receiver Terenn Houk caught his second touchdown of the year on a 9-yard pass from Stewart for the fourth touchdown of the game.

Alani Fua

Senior linebacker Alani Fua came up with his fourth career interception, his first of the season.

Harvey Jackson

Senior defensive back Harvey Jackson registered a season-high four total tackles with one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry and his first sack on the year.

David Kessler

Sophomore David Kessler was credited with a blocked punt, forcing the Savannah State punter to kick it through the back of the end zone. He was also credited with BYU’s third safety on the season.

Tanner Balderee

Freshman defensive lineman Tanner Balderee recorded the first fumble recovery of his career while also registering a half sack on the game.

AJ Moore

Sophomore running back AJ Moore scored his first career touchdown on a 6-yard run with 2:08 left in the game. He ended the game with 62 yards rushing on 10 attempts.

QUOTES

Bronco Mendenhall

"I think our team handled a unique challenge well. I think they did a nice job through practice staying focused. I think they did a nice job just during the game staying together and staying focused. There were a lot of opportunities for that game to not be as sharp, but it was. I think our offense played really well to start the game, and our defense played just right. It isn't a situation I'd like to do again in terms of having that caliber of opponent. I think our team showed maturity and pulled for each other. I was really encouraged by the sideline. Those who don't get to play that much had an opportunity. They were genuinely happy for each other, and that's really good to see as a coach. After that, I'm looking for a great challenge, not only managing practice through Thanksgiving and going down to play Cal and continuing our quest to have a really nice finish to the season.”

On the defense:

“It's been a lot of hard work. Nick Howell and our defensive players have worked a long time to put the right players in the right spots at the right time. I thought we played consistently, so it's trending in the right direction. It just took a while this season.”

On AJ Moore:

“AJ was the player I singled out in the locker room after. After a pretty slow start a year ago, this year, he's our primary scout team running back. He's been impressive. It was really fun to have him get a chance and se him mature. He has helped himself this year and it was fun to finally get him out there.”

On backup QBs:

“McCoy (Hill) is certainly more capable of throwing the ball, and Hunter (Moore) is our scout team quarterback. You could see he was still a little uncertain out there. We wanted him to actually see a running back. It was fun to see how wide his eyes were and how fun it was for him. Maybe more than anything today, it was great to see guys get a chance to go out there.”

On Senior Day:

“I started crying even before they announced the first guy. I don't know what's happening to me. I think it started with the Jay Omer announcement. I think that as I become more mature as a head coach, I understand that the relationships are all that are left. The wins are great, the records are great, but it's more than that. As I saw each player run through the tunnel, I saw memories flash that I have had with them. We're still not done. I'm trying to send them off in the right way. I hope they understand how much I appreciate them."

Christian Stewart:

"I wanted to play the whole first half. Coach Mendenhall told me I was out, so I called Coach Beck and was like, 'What? I thought I was getting the whole first half!' I was really happy with how our offense executed today. We were really sharp. There are only positive things to take away and I feel like it built a lot of momentum going forward.”

On being BYU QB:

“It's cool. It's a unique feeling. I was sitting on the sideline and heard a little kid calling my name, and I went and signed some autographs. It's a unique position being the BYU quarterback, and I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to influence the younger generation just like I feel Max Hall and John Beck had on my generation.”

On opportunities for others:

“I was really happy to get Jordan (Leslie) a touchdown. I was really trying to get Ross (Apo) a touchdown. He had that one, and it just popped out. This is what we play for. Guys can go out with a great taste in their mouth, playing at home, playing with a great crowd. Even though there weren't a lot of people here, I feel like the ones that were here were loyal and they are the ones that have our back.”

On playing Cal:

“We have a big challenge ahead of us: a Pac-12 team. I feel like this was a game we needed to tighten up execution. We can put up numbers; we can play with Cal for sure. We have a lot of confidence–we've won three games in a row. It will be a great way to close out the regular season.”

On Senior Day:

“For me, it didn't feel real. I remember in years past, I've been out there, shaking everyone's hands. It didn't feel real to me, I feel like it's too early for me to be leaving. I just started a couple of games ago. It was a special day for me, especially having my parents out there supporting me. They have done so much for me."

Mitch Mathews

"It was fun to get that deep ball going. Christian scrambled right and we've been practicing when he takes off so do we and he made a great pass and I'm glad I was able to get in the end zone."

"It's fun to see our fans be supportive and they've been great all season. It wasn't the best weather so we're grateful for those who came out.”

"Cal is a big game. They're a good team, Pac-12. We have a long week of practice preparing ourselves. They score a lot so we trust our defense and we have to go out and match those points and we're excited to go out and show what we can do."

Zac Stout

"We got to work some people who haven't worked as much, and overall as a unit we really played well."

"It's sad knowing I'm not going be back out there but it's crazy that I've made it this far."

"I was trying to hold back tears during the ceremony. I never thought I would feel like that, it's just been a crazy journey and I'm glad I've made it this far."

Skye Povey

"I think as a defense we always want a shutout. We've been close a couple times this year, but we're glad we were able to get it today."

"I was mad on Alani's (Fua) interception because he was throwing it to my guy, and I undercut him and thought I was going get an interception, but then I saw his long arms so I was giving him crap after. I probably would have dropped it, though. It was cool to see a lot of seniors contributing that don't get to play a ton and it was fun to see that and have those guys contribute in a win."

"I've seen the numbers Cal puts up, and they have a really good offense. And playing at their place will be tough. This is a chance to prove that we're a good team and that we're playing well again, and we want to go in and make a statement at their place to end the year."

"I was reminded of the first time I was at a Senior Day. It was my sophomore year here and I was just a walk-on that played on the scout team. I just remember Travis Uale who always treated me so well and thinking I was never going to be able to play with Travis again and now being in that position myself, it reminded me of that."

Nate Carter

"It feels good to get 100 yards, and I'm just happy for the opportunity to play."

“It was awesome seeing AJ (Moore) and I'm super happy for him. The running back group loves it when new guys get out there, and seeing him play was awesome."

"It's been a while since I've had the feeling of being the workhouse back. In the situation where we had a big lead today so we were going to run the ball a lot it was fun getting the rock a lot."

"It felt really good getting in the end zone, it's been a while, and seeing all my friends and teammates on the sideline supporting me and being happy for me was really fun."

Savannah State head coach Earnest Wilson

"BYU did a great job. Coach Mendenhall is first class. He probably could have put more points on us, but he chose to run the ball and run the clock. They got to work on their run game." 

"I've been out in the West before, if you recruit right and do things right, you can be competitive against FBS teams and mid majors. We've got a long way to go."

On bringing his team to Utah in November:

"I want to show them a little bit of Salt Lake City...Show them another part of the world. This is what football is. It's an extension of one's education and when your program is growing you want to expose young men, especially guys from South Georgia and small towns or South Carolina. They're taking pictures of the mountains and learning about the Mormon mission. (I wanted them) to learn about the great history of BYU."

Where playing at BYU ranks:

"Even though I've played against Ohio State, coached at Penn State, been to Michigan, this is one of those in history that you can say I've been there and was part of that."